Wine Slump

September 9, 1985

WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA — The federal and provincial governments each will put up $3.4 million to help the sagging red wine industry in British Columbia, Consumer Affairs Minister Jim Hewitt says. The industry, which employs 2,100 people and had sales last year of $94.7 million, is in a slump because of a swing in consumer preference over the past five years away from red wine to white wine. Hewitt said governments will use the $3.4 million to buy surplus red wine and 7,500 tons of red wine grapes grown this year. The grapes and wine will be distilled into pure alcohol and resold to wineries to fortify their products.